Holding means



DeC- 10, 1953 D. D. GAITHER ETAL HOLDING MEANS Filed Nov. 24, 1961 United States Patent 3,113,515 HOLDING MEANS Donald D. Gaither, 14915 Barnwell St., La Mirada, Calif.,

and Kenneth W. Bogardus, 1368 Brewster St., Anaheim, Calif.

Filed Nov. 24, 1961, Ser. No. 155,257 6 Claims. (Cl. 1111-393) This invention relates to improved holding means and more particularly to chases especially useful in holding items such as steel rule cutting and creasing dies.

In the formation of articles such as boxes it is common practice to use a steel rule cutting die to shape a cardboard blank and crease it at the proper places. Such steel rule cutting dies often times comprise a plurality of cutting rules and increasing rules held together as an integral unit, referred to as a jig-type die, and are held in a chase with which the die may be used in a press. Normally the chase orients the die securely against the bed of the press.

It is an object of this invention to provide and improve means for holding items.

Another object of this invention is to provide 'a chase in which the item to be held may be secured rapidly.

A further 'object of this invention is to provide a chase having improved means by which the lock-up bars, for engaging and holding a die, are positioned.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a chase having means for stabilizing the chase during operation.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a chase for holding a die, which chase has means for gripping securely the die. l

Another object of this invention is to provide a chase which is inexpensive to construct and may be used quickly.

A further object of this invention is to provide a chase having a lock-up bar which may be moved freely to a desired position at which point a tool may be used to force the lock-up bar hard against the item to be held.

Other and further objects of this invention will become apparent in the detailed description below in conjunction with the attached drawings wherein:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of one embodiment which the present invention may take.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a plan View of the enlarged section shown in FIGURE 2; y

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of one of the lock-up bars taken along line 4 4 in FIGURE l, and;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5 5 in FIGURE 4.

Referring now torthe drawings, the embodiment of the present invention disclosed therein will be described in more detail. In FIGURE 1 may be seen that the chase comprises a fixed rectangular frame, indicated generally by the arrow 10, including rst andl second longitudinal frame members 11 and 12 held in spaced parallel relation by a pair of side members 13 and 14. In the description below the chase will be described as if lying in a horizontal plane. It will be understood that this is for ease of reference only, and naturally, such orientation does not limit the present invention.

The frame 1t) is a rigid structure and is of a size slightly smaller than the bed and platen of the particular press with which the chase is to be used. The size of the frame determines the largest die with which the chase can be used. On the other hand, the dies to be used vary in size and shape with each particular job to be done. To this end the longitudinal members 11 and 12 of the frame 10 are provided with track means and a pair of laterally f ICC extending lock-up bars 16 and 17 are movably mounted on the track means between the longitudinal members.

The track means on the members 11 and 12 are substantially the same; therefore only a portion of the track means on member 11 and the cooperating end of lock-up bar 16 are shown in detail. Referring now to FIGURES 2 and 3, located on the inward edge of the member 11 is a flared tenon 20 which forms a rail on which the lock-up bar 16 rides. The tenon 20 is produced with an upper guide surface 21 and a lower guide surface 22 which are tapered outwardly from the upper and lower edge of inner face 22a. By this we mean that the guide surfaces are closer together at their respective outer edges than at their inner edges.

Each end of the lock-up bar 16 is machined to a shape complementary to the shape of the track means on the members 11 and 12. Each end is substantially the same; therefore, only end 23 is shown in detail. The end 23 of the lockup bar 16 is bifurcated to form a tapered mortise defined by upper and lower guide surfaces 24 and 25 respectively and outwardly facing root surface 25a.

As mentioned below the lock-up bar 16 must be secured in the desired positions at the desired times. To this end a horizontal slot 26 extends inwardly from the root surface 25a and a clamp screw 27 is provided to pull the upper and lower portions of the end 23 together when desired to secure the particular end of the lock-up bar. We have found the particular configuration of the track means important. Because of the taper the longitudinal member 11 is drawn inwardly firmly against the end 23 of the bar 16 by the clamping action of screw 27. This makes the chase more rigid. Y

As explained below, in operation the lock-up bar 17 is positioned first and the particular die is located against the bar 17. At that time the lock-up bar 16 is moved by hand to a position resting against the opposite side of the particular die. At this point in the operation the lock-up bar 16 is forced hard against the die by means which will now be described.

As illustrated best in FIGURES 2 and 3, the member 11 is under-cut at 29, and adjacent the tenon rail 20 a rack gear 3() is secured in the under-cut portion. It can be seen that the upper surface of the rack gear 30 is coincident with the upper surface of the member 11 and the inwardly facing teeth of the rack gear terminate on a position just outside the end 23 of the lock-up bar 16.

The end 23 of the lock-up bar 16 has a cnt away portion 32 on its upper side with a hole 33 disposed at the center off the out away portion.

With the arrangement disclosed, means such as a key 34 cooperating with the rack gear 30 is used to force the lock-up bar v16 hard against the die. The key 34 comprises ia pinion gear 35 located near the lower end of shaft 36 with a stub axle 37 depending below the pinion gear. Located at the upper end of the key shaft 36 is a transverse handle 38 which is grasped by the hand of the operator.

The pinion gear 35 is of such size that when the stub axle 37 is disposed in the hole 33` the teeth of the pinion gear interengage with the teeth of the rack gear 30. Therefore the key 34 may be disposed` in the position shown ni FIGURE 2 and rotated to force the lock-up bar 16 hard against the die. At that time the clamp screw 27 would be tightened.

On the other hand, when the key is not positioned as shown there are no protruding components obstructing the eicient use of the subject device. Further it may be seen that the lock-up bar may be moved rapidly to the general position desired. Then the key 34 is inserted and by turning the key great forces may be exerted forcing the lock-up bar hard against the die.

Similar track means are provided on the inner edge of the longitudinal member 12, to wit, tlared tenori rail 49. the rail 40, lock-up bar end 41, rack gear 42, and clamp screw 43 are substantially the same in configuration and purpose as the rail 20, the end 23 and the rack gear 30. Therefore the details of the rail v40, the end 41, the rack gear 42 and mode of cooper-ation with a key `14 will not be disclosed or described.

As mentioned previously the llock-up bar 17 also may be moved along the members and 11. The track means along which the bar 17 moves are substantially the same as the previously described track means along which the lock-up ba-r -16 moves. .More particularly the member 11 is provided with a flared tenon rail 44 which is tapered outwardly the same as the rails 20 and 40. Additionally, the bar 17 is bifurcated at its end 45 and provided with a clamp screw l46 with which the lock-up bar 17 is secured at the particular positions desired.

The longitudinal member 12 is also provided with a flared trail 47 which cooperates with bifurcated end 48 of lock-up bar 17v in a manner substantially the same as the end 23 of bar 16 and the rail 201. Further, a clamp screw 49 is provided on the end 48 to grip the rail 47 at the desired times.

As described below the lock-up bar 17 is positioned before the die is disposed within the frame 10. The lock-np bar :17 is positioned according to the particular size of die to be inserted. Therefore a series of index markers 50 are provided on each of the members 11 and 12 adjacent the rails 44 and 47 for use in indexing rapidly said bar 17.

It will be readily apparent that most of the dies held in the chase will have a lateral dimension which is less than thek distance between the longitudinal members 11 and 12. In order that the lock-up bar 17 may grip the die more securely, a series of vertical serrations 51 are provided along its edge opposite the lock-up bar 16. Similar serraticns (notshown) are provided on the lockup bar 16 for the same purpose.

In order to prevent the die from working vertically out of the chase, lips 52 and 53 are provided at the upper edges of the serrations on lock-up bars 17 and 16 respectively. Since the bottom side of .the chase is held against the bed of the press in operation there is no need of providing lips on the lower side of .the chase.

Shifting now to another aspect of our invention, we have found that it is beneficial to provide means on the chase for stabilizing the chase during operation. Preferably this is accomplished by four balance blocks such as disclosed, located ou the lock-up bars 16 and 17.

On the lock-up bar i17, are located balance blocks 54 and 55 of which details of only the balance block 54 are disclosed. (see FIGURES 4 and 5). There it may be seen that a slot 56 extends verticallyy through the bar 17 and receives the balance block therethrough. A set screw 57 is used to hold the balance block 54 in position. The thickness and length of the balance block 54 are not critical solong as the block is rigid. However, the height of lthe balance block must be the same as the height of the particular cutting rules which are used in the particnlar die being held by the chase. With .this arrangement, each time the press moves to its closed position wherev the cuttingV and creasing operations occur, the bed and platen of the press engage the lower and upper edge of the balance block 54 respectively eiecting the stability desired.

The balance block 55, as well as balance blocks 59 and 60 on the lock-up bar 16, are substantially .the same as balance block S4. Therefore the details of these balance blocks will notl be disclosed and described in detail.

dn operation the chase is laid on the work table or floor in the position shown in FIGURE 1. Then, assuming .that a die having a longitudinal length of 20I inches is used, the lock-up bar 17 is located with its serrations 51 ten inches from the center of .the members 11 and 12.

The index markers 50 enable the operator to do this quickly. At that time the clamp screws 46 and 49 are tightened securing the lock-up bar 17 to the members l1 and 12.

Then the die, preferably of the jig-type, is disposed against the lock-up bar 17 -and centered laterally with respect to the members 11 and 12. After this step has been completed the lock-up bar 16 is moved by hand to a position abutting the end of the die opposite the end engaged by the lock-up bar 17. Then the key 34 is inserted into hole 33, as shown in FIGURE 2, and rotated moving the end 23 slightly toward the lock-up bar 17. At this point .the clamp screw 27 is tightened securing the end 23 of the lock-up bar 16 to the tenon rail 20.

Then the key 34 is inserted in the corresponding hole in the end 41 of the lock-up bar 16 and rotated. The cooperation of the rack gear 42 and the pinion gear on the key 34 moves the end 41 of the lock-up bar 16 toward the lock-up bar 17. Then the clamp `screw 43 is tightened. It will be apparent that through these steps the lock-up bar 16 is forced hard against the die and grips it securely between said lock-up bar and lock-up bar 17.

Although only one embodiment of the present invention is shown and described in detail i-t will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes can be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore the present invention is to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

l. A chase comprising:

a generally rectangular frame having a pair of longitudinal members held in spaced relation by a pair of side members, said frame defining a generally horizontal plane, said longitudinal members having on their opposed inward sides track means;

a pair of laterally extending bars slidably mounted bctween said longitudinal members on said track means;

means on said bars for selectively securing said bars to said longitudinal members at particular locations desired;

a rack -gear on each of said longitudinal members with the teeth of each rack gear facing inward;

means on one of said bars for receiving a removable pinion gear in operative relation with each of said rack gears, whereby said last mentioned bar may be moved along said longitudinal members by receiving into said last mentioned means a pinion gear in operative relation with each of said rack gears and rotating said pinion gear.

2. The chase set forth inclaim 1 wherein each of said bars has a slot :therethrough extending at a right angle to the plane of the chase and a balance block is removably located in each of said slots.

3. 'I'he chase set forth in claim 2 wherein the edges of each of said bars facing each other have vertical serrations and there is formed at the upper edge of said serrations a lip protruding beyond said serrations a short distance whereby a block held between said serrated snrfaces is held against movement upwardly yor laterally of said bars.

4. A chase comprising:

a generally rectangular frame having a pair of longitudinal members held in spaced relation by a pair of side members, said frame defining a generally horizontal plane;

track means located on the inward side of each of said longitudinal members, said track means including a rail having upper and lower guide surfaces being tapered outwardly;

a laterally extending bar slidably mounted between said longitudinal members lon said track means, at least one end of said bar being bifurcated and shaped complementary to the shape of said yguide surfaces;

means on said bar end for selectively drawing the two portions of said bifurcated end together to clamp 6. The combination of the chase set forth in claim 5 said end on to said track means; and a key, said key having a shank with a handle at the a rack gear on each of said longitudinal members adjaupper end for applying torque, a small gear `on said shank,

cent the respective rail with the teeth of each rack said shank terminating at its lower end in a stub axle gear facing inwardly; 5 adapted to be selectively inserted in said hole in the end means on said bar for receiving a removable pin-ion of said bar.

gear in operative relation with each of said rack gears, whereby said bar may be moved along said References Cited in the le 0f this Patent longitudinal members by receiving into said last men- UNITED STATES PATENTS tioned means a pinion gear in operative relation with each of said rack gears and rotating said pinion gear. l0 Illggingl 02, 5. The chase set forth in claim 4 wherein said bifur- 2 546197 M Orrisfn ei a'l Mgr' 27 1951 cated bar end has -an upper and a lower portion, a vertical hole is formed in said upper portion, said hole being FOREIGN PATENTS adapted to receive a stub axle on a pinion gear located 15 6,012 Great Britain Mal- 2gI 1892 in operative relation with sa-id rack gear. 

1. A CHASE COMPRISING: A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR FRAME HAVING A PAIR OF LONGITUDINAL MEMBERS HELD IN SPACED RELATION BY A PAIR OF SIDE MEMBERS, SAID FRAME DEFINING A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL PLANE, SAID LONGITUDINAL MEMBERS HAVING ON THEIR OPPOSED INWARD SIDES TRACK MEANS; A PAIR OF LATERALLY EXTENDING BARS SLIDABLY MOUNTED BETWEEN SAID LONGITUDINAL MEMBERS ON SAID TRACK MEANS; MEANS ON SAID BARS FOR SELECTIVELY SECURING SAID BARS TO SAID LONGITUDINAL MEMBERS AT PARTICULAR LOCATIONS DESIRED; A RACK GEAR ON EACH OF SAID LONGITUDINAL MEMBERS WITH THE TEETH OF EACH RACK GEAR FACING INWARD; MEANS ON ONE OF SAID BARS FOR RECEIVING A REMOVABLE PINION GEAR IN OPERATIVE RELATION WITH EACH OF SAID RACK GEARS, WHEREBY SAID LAST MENTIONED BAR MAY BE MOVED ALONG SAID LONGITUDINAL MEMBERS BY RECEIVING INTO SAID LAST MENTIONED MEANS A PINION GEAR IN OPERATIVE RELATION WITH EACH OF SAID RACK GEARS AND ROTATING SAID PINION GEAR. 